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Press Release from the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club  

Ronald ‘Ron’ Robinson, a giant of Guyanese culture and a respected motorsport leader, passed away today (December 12, 2025), leaving behind a legacy defined by service, creativity and passion.

Within the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC), ‘Ron’ was more than a president- he was a steady hand who returned to lead the club at key moments in its development.

His three terms- first in the early 1990s, again in the mid-1990s, and later in the early 2000s- marked periods of renewed energy and direction for the organisation.

The spans (1991-1992, 1994-1995, and 2002-2004) each reflected his commitment to strengthening motorsport in Guyana and ensuring the club continued to grow in professionalism and community impact.

Beyond the racetrack, ‘Ron’ was celebrated as a broadcaster, actor, director and mentor whose voice and artistry shaped Guyanese theatre and media for more than six decades. His influence stretched across generations, touching artists, audiences and communities nationwide.

Ron Robinson served wherever he believed he could make a difference- and he did. His contributions to GMR&SC and to the cultural life of Guyana will long be remembered and deeply appreciated.

May he rest in peace.

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Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues urged local business owners to speedily invest in new ventures along the Linden to Lethem roadway, emphasising that the expansion of that crucial link will bring many lucrative opportunities.

“Guyanese businesses should not wait until the road is complete to position themselves. Now is the time to make strategic decisions about your presence, your services, and your role in that region,” Rodrigues said at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s annual awards presentation and gala dinner at the Marriott Hotel.

The existing Linden to Lethem trail allows people to travel from the coast to Guyana’s hinterland and interior savannahs. However, an all-weather road is being built from Linden to Mabura Hill. Bridges from Linden to Lethem have already been completed, and the government has committed to developing the roadway from Mabura Hill to Lethem subsequently.

With the new roadway, travel time is expected to be significantly reduced. Importantly, the road is also seen as a crucial link connecting northern Brazil to the Atlantic, through Guyana.

Earlier Thursday, Rodrigues’ cabinet colleague, the Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar, said a new airport would be built in Lethem to accommodate large aircraft. According to him, the Lethem structure will be a 4E category airport capable of accommodating wide-body planes.

Reflecting on the forthcoming airport and roadway, Rodrigues said if Guyanese business owners are not already investing in Regions Eight and Nine, they are “almost too late.”

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interCaribbean Airways on Thursday officially launched its scheduled service to the Eugene F. Correia International Airport at Ogle, East Coast Demerara.

The inaugural flight VQ-TGY from Barbados landed just after 12:00hrs to a welcome ceremony with government officials and aviation leaders. The crew included Captain Peter Murray and flight attendant Alesha George, both Guyanese, demonstrating the airline’s commitment to opportunities for locals.

interCaribbean serves 28 destinations across 17 countries and territories. With Ogle’s central location, travelers are now just minutes away from downtown Georgetown.

Captain Jerry Gouveia Jr., Director of Roraima Airways, emphasised the importance of the launch to the country’s economy.

“Air connectivity to Guyana is crucial for economic growth, what we need in the private sector here are more outlets for our local businesses, our local people to export Guyanese products whether it is our agricultural products or services into the world and organisations like interCaribbean make that happen,” Gouveia Jr. said.

(Photo: Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce)

He also highlighted that interCaribbean has put significant efforts into maximising Guyanese involvement in the airline by training flight attendants, pilots and engineers.

“They are giving opportunities for Guyanese to represent the country and represent the industry internationally,” Gouveia Jr. who is also the Chairman of the Private Sector Commission noted.

With the new service coming into Ogle more business opportunities will open especially for the private sector.

Founder and Chairman of interCaribbean, Lyndon Gardner reflected on the company’s journey in Guyana during his remarks. The airline began operations at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport in 2021.

“Five years ago we made a promise to Guyana, today, the spirit of Guyana leading the way we have taken another step in keeping that promise,” Gardner said.

Founder and Chairman of interCaribbean, Lyndon Gardner (Photo: Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce)

He explained that in 2020 the world was hit with the COVID pandemic, many airlines were reducing service and pulling back but interCaribbean made the bold destination to expand into the Caribbean.

“At interCaribbean we made a different choice, we looked south to Grenada, to Barbados and in December 2021, to Guyana and what we saw was not uncertainty but opportunity,” he stated.

The aircraft displays the Golden Arrowhead on its tail and ‘Spirit of Guyana’ on the nose and according to Gardner; “it is more than mental and paint, it is more than an aircraft, it is a symbol of what we believe the Caribbean is, one family and Guyana is an essential part of that family.”

(Photo: Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce)

Meanwhile, Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar, praised the addition of the new route, highlighting the rapid expansion of Guyana’s aviation industry.

Indar said the aviation sector in Guyana has been growing at a rapid rate and that the sector will transform Guyana. Direct employment in the sector stands at some 5, 200 and indirect employment is about 12,000.

“This airport – small yes – but is the busiest and it is because of the economic explosion that is happening in the country,” Indar said.

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The University of Guyana is pleased to announce the elected appointment of Prof. Randolph Persaud as Pro Chancellor to the University of Guyana following the procedures laid out by the statutes and the 12th Council of the University on Monday, December 8, 2025.

The new Pro Chancellor will also perform the duties of Acting Chancellor of the University of Guyana while a new Chancellor is named.

The University wishes to extend its deepest appreciation to Prof. John Edward Greene, the immediate past Chancellor, for his stellar and futuristic leadership of the University’s Council from 2019, whose tenure has come to a natural end. The University also wishes to thank the immediate past Council.

The new Council also extends heartfelt gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Paloma Mohamed-Martin, who has by statute, carried the additional duties of Pro Chancellor since 2020 while a new Pro Chancellor was named, as well as recently acting in the role of Chancellor under statutes governing vacancies of these positions.

The Vice-Chancellor has, on behalf of the University community, welcomed and warmly congratulated Prof. Persaud, who has maintained a close relationship with the University since his return to Guyana upon retirement from international service. As Pro Chancellor, Prof Persaud will work with the Council which oversees the strategic direction of the University, and the Vice-Chancellor and Senior Management Team who have executive responsibility for the management and operations of the University.

Prof. Persaud is a well-respected academic and international scholar. He is currently an Advisor in the Office of the President, the Director of the National Defence Institute (NDI), and a Teaching Fellow at the Institute for Human Resiliency, Strategic Security and the Future at the University of Guyana. He holds the B.A (Hons.), M.A., and PhD in Political Science from York University, Toronto, and is Professor Emeritus at the American University, Washington DC.

He was Director of Comparative and Regional Studies at the School of International Service (SIS), American University, Assistant Director for the Centre for International and Security Studies, York University, Vice President and the elected president of the SIS, which is among the largest schools of international affairs in the world.

Professor Persaud has consulted with the U.S. State Department, Carnegie Corporation, the Council on Foreign Relations, Centre for Strategic and International Studies, the United Nations via the United Nations University, the World Bank on Bio-Diversity excellence at the University of Guyana, and was a Research Fellow at the Institute of Advanced International Theory, University of Sussex. He previously served as an academic editor for Third World Quarterly and currently sits on the editorial board of the journal.
Professor Persaud is a widely published scholar with a significant international footprint. He has spoken at 37 universities including UCLA, Johns Hopkins, LSE, City University of London, University of Toronto, McMaster University, and at universities in Japan, K

rea, Italy, Taiwan, Sweden, Holland, and the UAE, among others.
The University community congratulates the new Pro Chancellor. The University looks forward to working with Prof. Persaud and the new University Council on the continued trajectory of the University of Guyana in achieving the University Blueprint’s national focus on growth in science, technology, human problem solving and the provision of world class University education for the nation (University of Guyana press release)

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Neil Medas, the 48-year-old unemployed man who reportedly confessed to breaking into the Ministry of Home Affairs, was charged on Wednesday and remanded to jail.

The man appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where charges of Break and Enter and Larceny committed on the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, and three other individuals were read to him.

The incident occurred around 04:44 hrs on Monday. It was initially unclear if any valuables were stolen, but the News Room was reliably informed that further investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly stole two HP laptop computers, one Apple iPad, one Amazon tablet, and two Canon EOS 4000D cameras belonging to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Additionally, a gold chain valued at $300,000 and $36,000 in cash belonging to a 58-year-old administrator in the Ministry’s Personnel Department were reportedly taken.

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Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand visited the  Skull City squatting area at Patentia, West Bank Demerara, Region Three on Wednesday, committing support for several infrastructural projects.

The Ministry is currently engaging communities to directly address issues affecting residents. During the outreach, Minister Manickchand interacted with residents and noted their concerns regarding infrastructure and environmental conditions.

As such, in her assessment of the area, she highlighted the potential to transform an open strip of land between the two main roads into a community park and designated vendor zone.

“That strip between those two roads can get a nice park area so they could have a space for vendors there. We can make that strip a really nice strip for children to go and play,” she said.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand flocked by residents and members of her team.

Flocked by residents and members of her team, the minister also updated persons about the ongoing efforts to regularize the community by the Ministry of Housing. Several households were already allocated lots and the remaining allocations are in progress.

To ensure that these persons are able to live comfortably, Minister Manickchand said they can now begin the process for utilities in their homes.

“Once it’s a squatting area, we don’t do those things because you’re not supposed to give facilities to people illegally occupying land. But now that we are regularising the area, we can do that,” the minister said.

Minister Manickchand also confirmed that the cadastral plan has been lodged in the Registry and that the block title is being prepared, with completion expected in the first quarter of 2026. Additionally, the drainage infrastructure accompanying the road works will be completed by January 2026.

As part of her outreach, she further committed to providing 85 hampers for households within the community.

 

 

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Nine of Guyana’s most promising young chess players are set to depart for Puerto Rico to compete in the prestigious 20th Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Youth Chess Festival, running from December 14th to 21st in the city of Dorado.

The team, representing the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), will compete across multiple age categories, from Under-10 up to Under-18, against talent from across the region.

In a significant boost for the players, two of Guyana’s highest-performing youth athletes have secured corporate sponsorship from Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre through its new Pegasus Youth Development Programme (PYDP).

National Junior Champion Kyle Couchman (U-18 Absolute) and National Women’s Champion WCM Aditi Joshi (U-16 Girls) have become the first ambassadors for the initiative.

They have signed agreements guaranteeing support for travel and competition readiness.

Brandon Badal, Director of Pegasus Suites and Corporate Center, praised the duo’s commitment. “Kyle and Aditi have demonstrated exceptional discipline, integrity, and competitive excellence. We are honoured to support their journeys as they continue to represent Guyana at the highest levels,” Badal stated.

Couchman, aged 16, holds a career-high ELO rating of 2004, marking him as one of the country’s strongest rising players. Joshi, holding the title of Woman Candidate Master, is celebrated for her strategic maturity and composure against elite competition.

The GCF expressed gratitude for the private sector support and hoped the Pegasus initiative would encourage more companies to invest in the country’s rising chess talent.

The team, accompanied by parents and Head of Delegation Tanya Clement, will compete across various categories, including: U-18 Absolute: Kyle Couchman, U-16 Absolute: CM Sachin Pitamber, U-16 Girls: WCM Aditi Joshi, U-14 Absolute: Nicholas Zhang, U-12 Absolute: Abel Fernandez, U-12 Girls: Kataleya Sam and U-10 Absolute: Vir Narine.

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Queen’s College cemented its status as the dominant force in Guyanese junior chess, sweeping both the Open and Girls Team titles at the National Inter-School Chess Tournament hosted by the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) on Monday.

The competition, held at Bishop’s High School, featured approximately 235 students from 18 schools, marking the largest-ever chess event held in the country—a testament to the rapid growth of the GCF’s Chess in Schools programme.

The Queen’s College Open team, featuring talents like Alexander Zhang, Kyle Couchman, WCM Aditi Joshi, and CM Sachin Pitamber, achieved a perfect score of 20 points to claim the Open Team category gold comfortably.

Marian Academy took second place (13.5 points), ahead of School of the Nations (11.5 points).

The Girls’ side replicated the success, with the Queen’s College quartet of Ciel Clement, Kataleya Sam, Parnita Kishun, and Saura Ruplall securing the title with 18.5 points. New Guyana School finished second (11.5 points).

In the Individual Championship, Queen’s College talent again shone brightest. Nicholas Zhang emerged as the unbeaten overall champion, while his schoolmate Omar Shariff claimed second place.

The competition, held at Bishop’s High School, featured approximately 235 students from 18 schools, marking the largest-ever chess event held in the country—a testament to the rapid growth of the GCF’s Chess in Schools programme

A central focal point of the tournament was the success of the teams benefitting from the Ministry of Education’s Priority Areas Programme, which aims to introduce chess to schools with limited prior access.

Richard Ishmael Secondary demonstrated the initiative’s effectiveness by excelling in this section, winning the first-place trophy in both the Open and Girls Team categories.

This highlighted the programme’s role in promoting chess development and its ability to increase participation and competitive standards nationwide rapidly.

The GCF extended gratitude to all participants for their enthusiasm and sportsmanship, confirming that the annual tournament is expected to expand next year to include other regions across Guyana.

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Despite a bright bowling performance from the West Indies seamers, half-centuries from New Zealand’s Devon Conway and Mitchell Hay extended the hosts’ advantage after an absorbing second day of the Wellington Test.

New Zealand secured a 73-run first-innings lead before a double-wicket burst from their quicks left West Indies still 41 behind with eight wickets in hand.

West Indies produced bursts of quality with the ball to keep pegging New Zealand back, and several home batters contributed to their own dismissals with loose shots. But the visitors also offered enough scoring opportunities for Conway and Hay to make valuable inroads.

Conway’s 60 – his first fifty against West Indies and 13th overall – anchored one end, while debutant Hay struck an enterprising 61 from No. 6. Their efforts allowed New Zealand to declare at 278 for 9, with the injured Blair Tickner not batting.

With the relatively new ball, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Ojay Shields and Anderson Phillip consistently challenged the batters as the ball swung both ways and occasionally jagged off the surface. Conway, however, punished the loose deliveries, hitting eight fours – mostly cuts and flicks – to keep New Zealand moving.

From the non-striker’s end, he saw Tom Latham (11) lose his off stump to a nip-backer from Roach from around the wicket, before watching Kane Williamson (37) have his off stump pegged back by an Anderson Phillip delivery that squared him up.

After lunch, Rachin Ravindra – who made 176 in Christchurch – was caught behind off Roach while chasing a wide one.

Conway himself was then caught down the leg side off a poor Justin Greaves delivery, thanks to a superb diving take from Tevin Imlach. At that stage, New Zealand seemed to be wobbling at 117 for 4.

Kemar Roach struck in the first over after lunch• Dec 11, 2025• Getty Images

A fifth-wicket stand of 73 between Daryl Mitchell (25) and Hay – the latter playing in place of the injured Tom Blundell – brought New Zealand closer to West Indies’ first-innings score of 205.

Mitchell was conservative, while Hay leaned on his white-ball instincts to score his runs, producing strong cuts through the off side and, when tested with short balls, pulling confidently over the leg side.

Mitchell, like Conway, was eventually strangled down the leg side off Phillip. Hay later fell to the short-ball tactic: after striking back-to-back fours behind square leg, he miscued a pull off Shields straight to Roach at deep-backward square and walked back bitterly disappointed. At 213 for 6, New Zealand then leaned on Glenn Phillips (18) and the lower order to extend their lead.

West Indies continued to pepper Phillips with short balls in a cat-and-mouse exchange that brought body blows and top-edges over the keeper. Seeking a change, captain Roston Chase turned to spin for the first time in the innings, and needed only four deliveries to tempt Phillips into a slog that failed to clear deep midwicket.

Zak Foulkes then batted 43 balls and frustrated West Indies with deflections off the seamers’ through the gully region on his way to an unbeaten 23. Jacob Duffy added further runs with boundaries to long-off and long-on, and No. 10 Michael Rae joined a rare group of batters to begin their Test careers with five runs off an overthrow boundary.

Rae reached 13 before the expensive Seales finally claimed his first wicket of the match, knocking back the debutant’s leg stump.

New Zealand’s batting may have been patchy, but their bowlers restored control with a sharp ten-over burst late in the day. John Campbell fell in the seventh over, beaten by a Rae delivery that zipped in to hit off stump. Next over, nightwatcher Phillip initially survived a DRS review for caught behind off Duffy, but a second look confirmed he was lbw instead.

Brandon King (15*) and Kavem Hodge (3*) saw out the final few minutes, but West Indies still face a steep challenge when play resumes on Friday. (ESPNcricinfo) 

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